Bulobi Primary School

A picture of Bulobi Primary School before construction

One year ago, Bulobi Primary School was a typical government school in Uganda, operating outof mud structures and incomplete classrooms with a booming student population.Most of their classrooms were without floors, windows, and doors, creating an inadequate learning environment. Yet,children still came to learn, and lots of them. Their largest class had 170 pupils, one teacher. A year ago now, you would not recognize the school you see today.

Through partnership with the Kamal Foundation, Arlington Academy of Hope, Bududa LocalDistrict Government, and the Bulobi community, Bulobi Primary School has now been transformed. Overthe past year, all stakeholders have contributed to build 8 new classrooms, construct a new kitchen, and complete the 4 unfinished classrooms at Bulobi Primary School. A local contractor from the community,Mr. Stephen Wakyaya, showed strong leadership in organizing the project, and many communityvolunteers and parents

provided much of the physical work and labor to build the school. We are happyto announce that this work was recently successfully completed on January 23, just in time for the startof the new school year! The new classrooms are beautiful, with crisp black chalkboards, glossy desks,and a clean concrete floor. Most importantly, the school felt officially complete when it was filled withfaces of happy children, who are now proud of their school and eager to learn. The positive momentum in their school is almost tangible, and the school administration,teachers, and parents have found fresh motivation to improve the future of their children. It is amazingwhat new facilities can do to enable other opportunities. Bulobi Primary School has taken the initiativeto begin several programs to cultivate a strong learning environment. First of all, Bulobi started off the year by committing to limiting classrooms sizes to manageable numbers. Each grade was split into 2classrooms, one for strong learners and one for weak learners. Additionally, each classroom was cappedoff at 60 students per teacher. In doing this, students are able to receive customized attention, andteachers are better equipped to address the needs of their students. Secondly, utilizing the new kitchen,Bulobi Primary School also started a school wide feeding program at the start of the school year. Theyare one of the first public schools in Bududa District to do so. In most schools in Uganda, children can goall day without eating, leading to school absenteeism and lack of concentration due to hunger. Whenfeeding programs are introduced though, children are adequately nourished, leading to better healthand growth, and in turn, they are also adequately educated, by increasing mental acuity and motivatingschool attendance. As a partner, we are excited to see and support Bulobi Primary School as they workto create a model government school in Bududa District.